CASTLEFIELD Sport Horses in Bishopslough, Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny, has gone from strength to strength in the production of performance horses that consistently produce top-drawer results on the ultra-competitive international stage.

Renowned Kilkenny international rider and producer Ger O’Neill and his hard working team run a slick, professional operation, expertly handling the sires, broodmares, young horses and foals.

Ger has been involved with horses and ponies from his earliest days through his father Jim who bred and produced top-class ponies and horses that have competed right up to 1.60m level. From being part of winning Nation Cups squads over the years to taking two consecutive gold medals at Lanaken, O’Neill has built up an enviable reputation for producing horses up to five-star and championship level.

With the late Eamonn Murphy, he co-bred Columcille Gypsy (Toulon) on whom O’Neill won the gold medal at the six-year-old final at the 2017 World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) championships. The following year, Uppercourt Cappuccino (Pacino) won the five-year-old gold medal at the Belgian venue, bred by O’Neill and the late Paul O’Byrne, ridden on that occasion by Sligo international rider Richard Howley.

Castlefield Cornet (HOLST) (Cornet Obolensky (BWP)), recently preliminary approved at the Horse Sport Ireland stallion inspections

\ Lorraine O'Sullivan

Progressive

Teaming up with Italian breeder Matteo Delmiglio has brought the Castlefield breeding program to new heights over the last decade. Matteo bred and co-owns with O’Neill the six-year-old Oldenburg stallion Castlefield Kingston (Cinsey (HANN)), recently approved at the 2021 Horse Sport Ireland stallion inspections, he has Cascari, Caretino and Capitol in his pedigree.

He stands along with the five-year-old Castlefield Cornet (HOLST) (Cornet Obolensky (BWP)), out of Diarado-sired Black Lady, Cassini I features in his pedigree and he is approved by the Mecklenburg Studbook. Calvador Z (ZANG) (Comilfo Plus Z (WESTF)) and SVS Je T’aime Castlefield (SF) (Zirocco Blue VDL) stand on the currrent Castlefield roster alongside the Camelot-sired Hunting Horn (TB) to give variety and choice to breeders.

Carefully selected

The use of embryo transfer (ET) drives the broodmare breeding program at Castlefield Sport Horses which expects to welcome some 35 foals this year from 10 or 12 meticulously selected broodmares. Included among them is U-Sprit (Baloubet du Rouet), a sister to Tinka’s Boy and the dam of Carrera VDL, she has already produced three approved stallions.

SVS Je T'aime Castlefield (Zirocco Blue VDL) \ Lorraine O'Sullivan

For further information on the stallions standing at Castlefield Sport Horses, all of which are available by fresh semen, please contact Ger O’Neill at 086 384 4560.

Hunting Horn (TB) (Camelot (GB)) \ Lorraine O'Sullivan